For those who love small streams, wild trout, and life...in their simplest form

Sunday, May 29, 2016

A New Stream 5-27-16

I fished a blue line last week Friday. It was a new venture, although I have driven over this stream countless times going to other destinations. On the map this stream is shown to drain from a big swamp and flows through some tough areas, you know the ones that are full of those little nasties such as thorns, soft silty banks and more thorns. Further down it turns into a nice flowing freestone stream. It winds its way along a heavy canopy of hardwoods. It is in this area that I would fish.

One big issue I encountered was the relentless amount of old fencing. Rusted barbed wire was entwined almost everywhere and some you could not see until it was to late.

The stream also flows through many areas of private land. This land is not posted but it's always good to find the owners and ask for permission...this day no one was home. Seeing this field of flowers how can you have a bad day?

The stream proved to be tough. Both is access and getting a fish to strike. I know there are fish in here. Just be a little less noisy.

In a little pocket of foamy water as the stream broke to the bank a fish rose to the fly. A few moments later and the first brook trout was at hand.

Further downstream I came upon this. A log half underwater and running the length of the pool. The water was deep and somewhat shaded. The fly was set adrift and at the mid way point a fish came out from under the log and hit. Hooked it knew what to do and used all of its knowledge to try to gain freedom. We, the rod and I were finally able to gain control and the highlight of the day was at hand.

This handsome wild brown obliged me in a photo and was returned to his home. I will return here and try to gain permission to further explore this stream.

Alan ,great looking stream,does not look easy to get in position to cast a fly. I see the ant strikes again. Beautiful brown, that's a real trophy in that type of water. Just for your information, I know you and mark have mentioned how to make the griffiths gnat more visible. If you you look up murrays fly shop out of Edinburg Virginia ,go to to the fly section, you will see a parachute version of the griffths gnat,this is the version I tie and have great success. You probably already know this but I just thought I would pass it along. Love the new stream. Thanks

Alan, quite frankly I'm not very good at parachutes myself, but I'm too cheap to buy them,plus I have the materials to tie them. I just keep working at it until I get a good supply. If they weren't so productive I prop ably wouldn't bother. My tying style is more like yours straight forward and simple, my kind of tying. Thanks.

Wow!! What an unbelievable stream....and the brookie and the brown aren't bad either! I need to come and visit your side of the mountain someday and you can show me how this is done!I love these small streams,Dougsden

About Me

I have been fishing for more years that I want to say.
Fly fishing since the seventies.
I take the simple approach to fly fishing. Fly fishing need not be complicated.
Take the time to slow down on the water and look to the grand beauty out there in its most simple form.